Sheriff’s deputies have arrested a man and woman who they say coordinated a series of retail robberies using children to carry stolen merchandise out of stores in Moreno Valley and other inland communities.

Darrell Campbell, 32, and Jeammie Preston, 31, both of Moreno Valley, are facing charges of conspiracy, second-degree robbery, child endangerment and grand theft, and they’re being held at Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning in lieu of $245,000 and $210,000 bail, respectively, according to online jail records. They were arrested Thursday.

From left, Darrell Campbell and Jeammie Preston (Courtesy photos)

Campbell and Preston are scheduled to make a court appearance Tuesday at the Riverside Hall of Justice, jail records state.

In June, sheriff’s deputies in Moreno Valley began investigating multiple commercial robberies in the city, according to a Riverside County sheriff’s news release. Deputies learned a man and woman, later identified as Campbell and Preston, conspired to commit robberies and used children to carry stolen merchandise out of major retail businesses, the release stated.

In some cases, the man directed the children to grab specific merchandise and then walk out of the business to a waiting vehicle where the woman waited as the getaway driver. While exiting the business, loss prevention officers were threatened with a knife, according to the news release.

Investigators found evidence that the couple conducted similar thefts as far back as October in Menifee, Eastvale, Riverside, Lake Elsinore, Glendora and San Bernardino, the release said. During the investigation, deputies gathered significant evidence against the suspects and identified the two adults and juveniles.

On Thursday, Campbell and Preston were arrested in the 25000 block of Alessandro Boulevard in Moreno Valley, according to the news release. Child Protective Services took custody of three children, the release stated.

Anyone with information about the investigation can call Officer June, of the Robbery and Burglary Suppression Team, at the Moreno Valley station by calling 951-486-6700. Citizens can also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form at www.riversidesheriff.org/crimetips/.